The GHFJ is a non-profit organization started by Paul Brown, Hartford’s own jazz bassist and music educator. Musicians perform at the Thomas Harris IV Pavilion and the Friends of the Festival Arch Stage, with Connecticut’s beautiful Capitol Building and the Hartford skyline provide a stunning backdrop. Among the talented performers this year are Mike Arroyo (pictured), Four 80 East, Jeff Lorber and Giacomo Gates. So bring a blanket and chairs, stock up the cooler, and head to Hartford for some cool jazz on those hot July days.
Hartford isn’t all about the music, though. Bibliophiles will enjoy two historical sites in Hartford that honor the legacies of two significant literary figures. The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center (www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org) preserves Stowe’s gorgeous 1871 Hartford home as well as an exhaustive collection of artifacts, books, manuscripts, photographs and more in three historical buildings.
The Mark Twain House & Museum (www.marktwainhouse.org) was designed in 1873 by New York City architect Edward Tuckerman Potter for Twain and his wife Livy. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963, the 19-room Victorian mansion is noted for its whimsical designs. The museum holds the richest collection of Twain’s works and presents changing exhibitions revolving around Twain’s life and times, his famous contemporaries and their influences on literature and culture today.
Hartford’s dining options are as diverse and extensive as its cultural attractions. O’Rourke’s Diner, an institution in nearby Middletown, has been recently given a slick, retro makeover. Serving creative dishes made with fresh ingredients, O’Rourke’s is the perfect spot for a casual breakfast or lunch. J Restaurant Bar is a sophisticated Italian eatery with a convivial atmosphere. Watch the chefs create your penne with pesto chicken or salmon BLT in the open kitchen.
Regularly voted Hartford’s Best Hotel, the Goodwin Hotel (800-922-5006) offers turn-of-the-century elegance and hospitality. If you prefer to stay outside the city center, try the Inn at Middletown (860-854-6300), housed in the refurbished National Guard Armory, a historic landmark.
— By Jamie Thompson